Want a Bell lid to give you some serious coverage without the weight of a Full-10, then the Full Air and 3QTR-Air crash hats should be high on your lists.
As the name suggests, Bell’s new Air range aims to offer plenty of protection to the modern rider in a lighter weight package, with both options coming in between the usual full face and open face lid offerings.
Bell Full Air MIPS
Key features:
- Advanced Mips® Evolve System
- Dual Density EPS Fusion
- In-Mold Polycarbonate Shell
- 2-Position Flying Bridge Visor for Eyewear/Goggle Storage
- Removable, Washable Anti-Microbial Liner
- Sweat Guide™
- Breakaway Under-Visor Action Camera/Light Mount
- Fidlock® Magnetic Buckle
- Removable Temple Pads for Additional Airflow
- E-Bike Certified
- NTA 8776 (E-BIKE), US CPSC, CE EN 1078:2012, AS/NZ 2063, ASTM F1952-15 (Downhill), ASTM F2032-15 (BMX) certified
- 760g (Size M)
- S (53-55cm), M (55-57), L (57-59), XL (59-61)
- Matte Black, Matte White, Ratio Steel Grey, Ratio Rootbeer, Grid Electric Blue, Grid
White/Black, Fluid Grey/Pink, Fasthouse Black/Grey - £249.99 RRP
- BellHelmets.com
There’s plenty to talk about when it comes to the new Bell Full Air. At three quarters the weight of the Full 10 with a similar drop in price, you still get DH certification should you want to give it the beans. The aim is to offer the security of a full face with the comfort and ventilation of a half face lid. The temple pads are removeable to increase airflow through the helmet too.
A MIPS Evolve system sits inside a dual density EPS Fusion liner, with an in-mold polycarbonate shell. The pads are removeable, washable and antimicrobial. A 2-position visor is complimented by a breakaway POV camera/light mount. At 760g for a size medium DH-rated lid, this is really looking to be some bit of kit. We’re all very used to such helmets hitting the kilo mark but a 25% drop in weight is something.
At £249.99 its also pretty sensible money for such a feature-rich full face crash hat, with plenty of sizes and colours to suit too.
Bell 3QTR-Air MIPS
Key features:
- Advanced Mips® Evolve System
- Dual Density EPS Fusion
- In-Mold Polycarbonate Shell
- 2-Position Flying Bridge Visor for Eyewear/Goggle Storage
- Removable, Washable Anti-Microbial Liner
- Sweat Guide™
- Breakaway Under-Visor Action Camera/Light Mount
- Fidlock® Magnetic Buckle
- E-Bike Certified
- NTA 8776 (E-BIKE), US CPSC, CE EN 1078:2012, AS/NZ 2063 certified
- 650g (Size M
- S (53-55cm), M (55-57), L (57-59), XL (59-61)
- Matte Black, Ratio Steel Grey, Ratio Rootbeer, Grid Electric Blue, Grid White/Black, Fluid, Grey/Pink
- £204.99
- BellHelmets.com
Drop the chin and £45 off the Full Air and you get the 3QTR-Air. Everything that the Full Air offers beyond the teeth protection but all of the same tech and a further drop in weight. It’s a gnat’s whisker heavier than the Fox Dropframe but not enough to notice (20g between the two).
With the chinguard gone, you lose the downhill rating, unsurprisingly, but it’s ebike rated and retains the other certifications. Construction remains the same with an identical MIPS Evolve rotational impact system. Whether it’s big hill missions, winter rides or just a bit more peace of mind, the 3QTR-Air could be just the ticket.
